Not exactly—but Montessori principles are woven throughout our Learning Design.

Montessori Influence in the Early Years

At Acton Leadership Academy, the youngest learners in the Discovery Studio (ages 4-8) engage with a Montessori-inspired environment. This means:

Hands-on learning: Children use Montessori materials to explore language, math, and practical life skills.Self-paced growth: Learners set their own goals, choosing from activities in their challenge zone.Concrete-to-abstract learning: They begin with tangible, hands-on experiences before transitioning to more conceptual thinking.

Beyond Montessori: A Blended Model

While Montessori methods shape the early learning experience, Acton Academy isn’t a traditional Montessori school. The founders, Jeff and Laura Sandefer, built Acton by blending the best educational, psychological, business, and leadership practices. Their goal? To create a school that prepares children for life—not just college.Acton learners set daily goals, track their progress, and develop independence from an early age. By the time they advance to higher studios, they’ve mastered goal-setting and critical thinking—skills that serve them well beyond school.

The Core Connection: Trusting Children

Perhaps the strongest link between Acton and Montessori is their shared belief: Children are far more capable than we think. Instead of dictating their learning, adults step back, providing guidance and trust as young learners take charge.

Is Acton Academy a Montessori school? No, but its foundation is deeply influenced by Maria Montessori’s work—especially in empowering young minds to take ownership of their education.

Want to see this in action? Schedule a tour today!